The end of the regular season is upon us as Major League Baseball approaches the novelty expanded playoff format that promises to provide the most entertaining post-season we have ever seen. 16 teams will square-off for the chance to become World Series champions and take ownership of that famous asterisk that will always exist for this strangest of seasons.
Let’s enjoy the best of baseball from all teams while we can and dive into all the wonderful tidbits from Saturday’s slate of games.
3-In-A-Row For the White Sox
It is party time on the South Side of Chicago this week as the White Sox clinch their first postseason berth since 2008. They also managed another rare feat in yesterday’s 6-0 demolition of the Cincinnati Reds – they hit 3 home runs back-to-back-to-back! First up was Tim Anderson with his second of the night.
TIM ANDERSON IS ON FIRE 🔥
His 2nd HR of the night! pic.twitter.com/GS6IvP5dqp
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 20, 2020
Prize free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal wasted no time on following up his teammate’s power.
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In fact, it scared the virtual fans so much that they had cleared out by the time of the replay.
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And of course, Jose Abreu would never miss out on action like this – his 434 ft bomb was his 18th of the season and rounded off a sensational top of the 8th inning for the playoff-bound White Sox.
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That beautiful swing of the bat and the white ball gliding through the black night sky – we love baseball!
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Anderson Throws Shade At Bauer
Staying in Chicago, it has been lots of fun following and watching Tim Anderson this season – today he went yard against Cy Young-chasing Reds starter, Trevor Bauer.
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Anderson was quick to throw shade at Bauer and his outspoken tendencies on his well-documented social media channel.
Tim Anderson after hitting a bomb off Trevor Bauer: “I’m gonna tell him to put that on his YouTube channel too.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/nDxaDTQgeC
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) September 20, 2020
“Attaboy!”
The Oakland Athletics are having a phenomenal year. Their young pitching rotation is starting to fulfill the potential it has shown over the past couple of seasons. During a live interview on today’s broadcast in their game against the San Francisco Giants, Sean Manaea and Chris Bassitt expressed their joy at rotation partner Jesus Luzardo striking out Mauricio Dubon with a 97 mph heater.
Manaea LOVES Luzardo strikeouts… even in the middle of an interview 😂 pic.twitter.com/DfI93GODal
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 19, 2020
I particularly liked the “97” comment from Bassitt! The A’s went on to blow away the Giants 6-0 to improve to 33-19 on the season. They are destined to claim the American League West in the next couple of days.
Stadium Strong Man
There is nothing like a flashy catch off a sharply hit line drive. It is even better when it is from a stadium employee. This “strong man” throws a glove at a bullet from Miami Marlins slugger Jesus Aguilar.
YES SIR💪 pic.twitter.com/FMO5vSFbjr
— Cut4 (@Cut4) September 19, 2020
Fan Art Player Graphics Are A Thing
The Los Angeles Angels decided to use fan art on the scoreboard instead of the usual player graphics. I think I love it. What about you, David Fletcher?
this is different pic.twitter.com/sAVwvKvf40
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 20, 2020
Bug Karma
New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier is finally breaking out this season. He is also saving unknown bugs one species at a time.
Clint "Bug Hero" Frazier. 🐛#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/gd2KYnYK1V
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 20, 2020